African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 6 (12), pp. 001-006, December, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Phenotypic plasticity of leaf length to an environmental gradient in Khaya ivorensis (Meliaceae) populations in Ghana

Jones Abrefa Danquah

School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Post Office Box 111, Fin-80101, Finland. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +358-132-514499, +358-44-9690362. Fax: +358 13 251 2050.

Accepted 23 March 2018

Abstract

Khaya ivorensis encountears different ecological conditions in its native habitats in Ghana. The demand for this species has led to severe depletion of the natural stand, thus threatened with extinction. To address the dwindling populations demands intervention for restoration and establishment of plantations. The goal of reforestation is to establish a new generation of trees with optimal growth and adaptedness. Doing this requires knowledge of relative level of plastic response to environmental variables to aid general seed transfer which could be implemented by forest managers. In this study we employed Environmental Standardized Plasticity index (EPSI) and one-way ANOVA to understand the level of phenotypic plasticity in leaflet morphology to environmental gradient. Highly significant (P<0.0001) plastic response in leaf length was observed among the populations in relation to precipitation, temperature, altitude and latitude. The results suggested South-North clinal relationship to leaf length. The observed clinal variation in leaf length with environmental variables provide suitable framework for matching each provenance site or population to designate ecological zone, under premise each population has adapted to the local environmental conditions.

Key words: Clinal variation, Khaya ivorensis, climate change.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 6 (9), pp. 001-008, September, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The willingness to pay (WTP) for the conservation of wild animals: Case of the Derby Eland (Taurotragus derbianus gigas) and the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) in North Cameroon

Tsi, E. A.¹, Ajaga, Nji², Wiegleb, G.³ and Mühlenberg, M.⁴

¹Department of Forestry, , Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences (FASA), P. O. Box 222 Dschang, University of Dschang, Cameroon.

²Department of Agricultural sociology, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences (FASA), P. O. Box 222 Dschang, University of Dschang, Cameroon.

³Chair of General Ecology, BTU Cottbus, Germany.

⁴Centre for Nature Conservation, University of Gottingen, Germany.

Accepted 22 February, 2018

Abstract

Data on the perception of and willingness to pay (WTP) for the conservation of the Derby Eland and the African Wild Dog in North Cameroon were collected from August to October 2004 using administered questionnaires. The results show a positive attitude of respondents towards wildlife conservation. They indicated willingness to support actions geared towards the conservation of endangered species in National Parks. WTP often leads to a social dilemma of a choice between one’s self interests and community or group interest. This choice often affects attitudes, motivations, perceptions, and values leading to different outcomes at the individual and group levels. The level of awareness of the need for wildlife conservation of endangered species in Cameroon National Parks is high and thus leads to a high approval of conservation plans. As a result respondents expressed the view that individuals have a moral obligation to cooperate in wildlife conservation effort. Where private operators and governments manage hunting zones (ZIC) and National Parks respectively, the results are not always excellent as they should be. Funds generated from taxes and individual contributions for specific conservation measures are neither used by officials for wildlife conservation as hoped nor to compensate farmers for damages caused by wildlife. Even though a positive environmental attitude influences the WTP for environmental goods, the WTP for environmental goods is certainly out of surplus and personal unique dispositions, perception, organization, understanding and appreciation of the environment. However, under the present management scheme, local communities around Faro and Benoué National Parks benefit from tax quotas. Primarily because of the attractiveness and beauty of the Derby Eland and the African Wild Dog, respondents expressed favourable attitude towards their conservation despite their attractive tendencies and notorious labels as animals of prey.

Key words: Conservation, gender, perception, willingness to pay, ecotourism.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 6 (7), pp. 001-013, July, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of Turkish forest management philosophy and applications on forest ecosystem structure and functions

Hacı Ahmet Yolasi maz¹ and Sedat Kele²*

¹Artvin Çoruh University, Faculty of Forestry, Artvin, Turkey.

²Çankırı Karatekin University, Faculty of Forestry, Çankırı, Turkey.

Accepted 11 February, 2018

Abstract

Nowadays, Turkish forest management philosophy has changed from timber management to ecosystem-based multiple-use forest planning (EBMUFM) with the principles of “sustainable forest management” criteria and indicators drafted in a few national and international agreements. This study analyzed the temporal changes in forest ecosystem structure and a few forest values such as tree species, distribution of age class, development stage, canopy closure, species mixture, timber volume and increment, carbon storage and oxygen production in Saçinka Forest Planning Unit in the northeast corner of Turkey. To assess the patterns during a 21-year period (1985-2006), the necessary data were obtained from forest stand maps and evaluated with Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Results showed that the decrease of agricultural and settlement areas caused the increase of productive forests and the decrease of degraded forests. Bark beetles, which have common effect in Artvin, had less effect on the vitality of Saçinka Forest Planning Unit forests compared to the neighboring forest ecosystems. This forest ecosystem vitality and integrity level was a result of the mechanic and biological interventions against the beetle damages and appropriate silvicultural prescriptions.

Key words: Ecosystem based multiple use forest management planning, geographic information systems, land cover change, carbon storage, oxygen production.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 6 (6), pp. 001-007, June, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Productivity of timber extraction by Urus MIII cable crane from selective spruce forests

Tolga Ozturk

Department of Forest construction and Transportation, Faculty of Forestry, Istanbul University, 34473, Bahcekoy / Istanbul , Turkey. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel.: +90 212 2261100. Fax: +90 212 2261113.

Accepted 22 March, 2018

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the productivity of the Urus MIII cable crane during yarding of spruce timber from spruce stands in North Eastern Turkey. Cable crane productivity is determined by using the methods of work and time study. The research concludes that some working characteristics of the Urus MIII cable crane such as transportation speed of the carriage (loaded and unloaded), load volume, time consumptions of felling area, fuel consumptions, productivity of the cable crane and transport distance have an absolute impact on the productivity of the cable crane. In this study, for average 210 meters transporting distance, productivity of Urus MIII cable crane was found 10.08 m³/hr on two different corridors. The average fuel consumption was 3.5 - 4.0 liters per operating hour of the Urus MIII cable crane. Costs of Urus MIII cable crane are calculated to 4.6 $/m³.

Key words: Urus MIII cable crane, carriage, timber production, time study.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Lepidoptera fauna in Bartin province, in western black sea region of Turkey

Azize Toper Kaygin^1*, Yafes Yildiz¹ and Mustafa Avci²

¹Department of Forest Engineering, Faculty of Forestry, Bartın University, 74100 Bartın, Turkey.

²Department of Forest Engineering, Faculty of Forestry, University of Suleyman Demirel, Isparta, Turkey

Accepted 02 January, 2018

Abstract

This research was performed in the field and laboratory between the years 2007 and 2008 with the aim of identifying species of the order Lepidoptera in Bartin region. The butterfly species that were existing in Bartin centrum, Amasra, Ulus, Kurucasile and in nearby regions like Inkum, Mugada, Kumluca, Kozcagiz, Cakraz etc and plus in the campus of Bartin Faculty of Forestry were brought to the laboratory after having been obtained by various methods such as butterfly net, light traps and pheromones traps. Those species having been examined under a lup and microscope were identified and protected in the laboratory. In the end of the study, the data obtained were 90 species from 21 families of Lepidoptera class. Among these species 15 have been mostly observed in agricultural areas. The samples mostly identified were Lycaenidae, Noctuidae, Nymphalidae and Satyridae.

Key words: Bartin, identification, Lepidoptera, species.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 6 (4), pp. 001-009, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Commercial horticultural practice in Nigeria: Its socio-spatial effects in Lagos city

Albert Ayorinde Abegunde¹*, Emmanuel Olufemi Omisore¹, Olufunmilayo ‘Fumbi Oluodo² and Daniel Olaleye¹

¹Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Obafemi Awolowo Univeristy, Ile Ife, Nigeria.

²Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Rufus Giwa Polytechnics, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 03 January, 2018

Abstract

Street -by-street distribution of urban horticultural garden in Eti-Osa local government area of Lagos State, Nigeria was carried out with a view to understanding their socio-spatial effects on urban land use and development. The local government has two residential communities (Ikoyi and Victoria Island). A total number of 75 gardens were identified and the study purposively selected all of them for questionnaire administration. Sixty three (63) managers of the horticultural gardens were available for interview. It was observed that a greater percentage of the studied horticultural gardens are oriented towards monetary gains (79.4%) and are concentrated in Ikoyi (74.6%) than Victoria Island (25.4%). The gardens occupied about 0.25% of the total land area in Eti-Osa Local Government Area. The mean area used for the horticultural practice is 885.32 m. The minimum plot coverage of the area used for the practice is 100 m² while the maximum is 3,500 m ². The gardens have inadequate set backs to roads, with their mean being 1. 45 m. This results in off street parking by motorists who were customers to these horticulturists, causing traffic congestion in the area. Twenty percent of the horticulturists get into the practice with the primary aim of improving the aesthetic value of the urban space. The study evidently showed that it becomes imperative for urban planners to educate these horticulturists to rate urban aesthetics above economic gain accrued from the practice of horticulture in the built environment.

Key words: Built environment, commercial horticulture, garden, green space, socio-spatial, urban planning.